Observing particle clusters with energies above tens of GeV in a flux of cosmic rays by means of neutron monitors

Abstract

Neutron monitors at the Baksan, Moscow, Apatity, and Barentsburg stations are equipped with a unique high-speed registration system that registers the arrival of a pulse with an error of about 1 μs. Analysis of data obtained using the neutron monitors reveals the presence of isolated particle clusters in the flux of high-energy (above tens of GeV) cosmic ray particles. The clusters are known as transients. The neutron monitors detect brief surges of density in the high-energy particle flux. Each surge lasts 20–40 s. The flux density inside the transients is about twice the average level. The transients are isolated by dips that are brief 200–300% drops in the particle flux density, observed in front of and behind each one. It is assumed that a transient is a brief local surge in particle flux density during cosmic ray diffusion and scattering in the interplanetary magnetic field.